I am thrilled to be interviewing the very talented writer and artist Maria Greene today.

I know i have been missing from my blog for a while but i think this interview is worth the wait. Maria was kind enough to interview me a while back – you can read the interview here. You might just want to go back and sift through the many inspiring posts Maria has up to get your creative juice going again!

1. Tell us a bit about your life with art.

I have always made some kind of art since I was seven years old, but I really committed to it in 2003 when I started painting and selling my art on eBay. I had so much fun trying out different styles, but I could never stick with one for very long. I envy those who can paint the same motif over and over and enjoy it. I come from a pretty creative family. Mom was the happiest when she dove into her crafts, weaving, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She used to sew all of my clothes. Dad played various instruments, and my brother is a lifelong artist with many exhibitions over the years. Our styles are totally opposites, and that’s a good thing.

I was never truly interested in going the traditional way of being an artist. Exhibitions never called to me, but I have displayed my art in shops and coffeehouses. Art to me is something that is down to earth and should be easily accessible to everyone.

2. What is art to you?

Art is a way of expressing my soul; that’s how it feels. Art is a constant exploration that never ends. If I live to be 100 I know I won’t say I have explored enough art expression. It is an endless journey and the satisfaction lies in that journey. What comes out on paper and canvas sometimes truly surprises me, and it is as if my art is telling a story about me that is so much deeper than everyday living. I realize I know so little about the subconscious part of me, but art channels that aspect very well. I think art can be a great way to solve emotional problems and other obstacles in life.

Unfortunately, we have so many expectations and we judge our art and others’ as good or bad. That tendency makes us stop making art and we never get to the point of pure exploration. The vein of gold appears when we dare to explore freely.

3. What methods do you use?

I find that art journaling is the least challenging method for exploration. It’s hard sometimes not to judge what appears on the page, but it’s a personal diary that no one needs to see. With that comes freedom.

4. What advice do you have to give to new artists?

Throw caution to the wind! Let yourself be free to explore what art wants to do for you. Art will lead you along. I suggest getting an art journal for mixed media (a minimum of 90lbs paper.) Maybe you don’t plan to use other media than paint, but before long you will find yourself adding bits of paper or other scraps to your page. In one art journal spread I used a lot of lace. I wanted to see what it would look like on top of paint.
As far as other materials, stock up on some cheap acrylic paints and brushes. If you start out inexpensive you won’t be afraid to use the tools, but it’s the opposite with expensive tools. As you get more experienced you can upgrade your tools.

Put no pressure on yourself, just play as if you were four years old again. If it turns into a brown muddy mess, turn the page and start over. By the way, ugly is okay! It’s good because it means you’re creating.

3. What is your favorite style?

I’m very partial to intuitive painting since that truly opens the door to deeper exploration. I have posted some videos on YouTube about making art journal pages without having any plans for the outcome. Link at the end of this article.

4. How did you begin to explore intuitive painting?

Back in the 90s I read a book by Michele Cassou, POINT ZERO, Creativity Without Limits.She also co-wrote LIFE, PAINT and PASSION, and her incredible writing triggered a deep resonance within me. Then I came across Aviva Gold’s PAINTING FROM THE SOURCE, and I used her suggestions to delve deeply into my art. I still have some of those old paintings. They are huge and painted on poster boards, some of them glued together. She challenges you to paint on one painting until there is absolutely nothing more to explore. It can be truly challenging to stay with one painting and let it lead you until it is finished. I enjoyed the process. When I had finished the piece I could SEE (and feel) my energy in the art. It was authentic.

Nowadays, intuitive painting has a wide following and many great artists as teachers.

Learning traditional art techniques can be very helpful, but what I’m talking about is free expression that comes from one’s inner life.

To be honest, I can’t draw a straight line, but I love color and composition. Even with art instruction, painting a face for instance, I make one eye larger than the other, and I can never get the angle of the mouth down correctly. Other artists are great at drawing, like you, Violette. We all have different gifts.

Who is Violette

Hi there! I’m an avid art journaler, cartoonist, idea factory and muse. My blog is all about my creative life and how I imbue creativity in all that I do! I hope it inspires you to get your mojo going too!